Day 60: It's Getting Hot in Here... Sox/Yanks Steamy Weekend Preview

The Red Sox and Yankees meet this weekend in the Bronx for the first time since the opening series of the season... where, by the way, the Sox took two of three from the injury-riddled Yanks. Needless to say, this weekend should be interesting.

Here's the deal. As of right this minute, the Sox have a slim one game lead over the Yankees in the AL East.  And at this very moment, the Sox are beating the Phillies and the Mets are just barely beating the Yanks. So there's a very good chance (fingers crossed I don't jinx the whole thing right here) that Boston could have a two game lead over NY going into the weekend.

When the two teams met in early April, the Yankees were crippled without the likes of Jeter, Granderson, Teixeira and A-Rod in the lineup. And no one thought they could even contend with the group of misfits they fielded. But surprise, surprise, even without those key players, they still managed to sit atop the division for several weeks. And reports have both Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis rejoining the team for the weekend series.

The Red Sox have suffered recently from some injuries so they'll be missing a couple significant players. Both Will Middlebrooks and Shane Victorino have been placed on the 15-day DL and are not expected back until mid-June. The only good thing to come from those two being out is the return of both Jose Iglesias, who is so much fun to watch in the field, and Jackie Bradley Jr., who was tearing up Triple-A. Clay Buchholz missed his last start because he slept wrong (that would totally happen to me!) but is probable for Sunday's game.

If you watch just one game this weekend, I'm recommending Friday night—a classic matchup between Jon Lester (6-1, 3.34) and CC Sabathia (4-4, 3.96.) But Sunday's matchup looks exciting as well, with Clay Buchholz (7-0, 1.73) taking on Hiroki Kuroda (6-3, 2.39)—a real pitchers' duel in the making! Eeeep!

Predictions, anyone? I'm not allowed to make predictions. I suck and usually just end up jinxing the Sox.